#572 Minccino

Black117 · (This post was last modified: Jan 16, 2017, 01:03 AM by Black117.)

Mimikyu + Magnezone + Drampa

[Image: mimikyu.png]

- Pokémon featured: Mimikyu + Magnezone + Drampa
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Trick Room Offense
- Sets:

This is the infamous Trick Room core popularized KomVGC, who was able to this core to a regional victory at San Jose. In all, the core is basically a Steel-Dragon-Fairy between Mimikyu, Magnezone, and Drampa, who all three benefit from each others characteristics. Starting with Mimikyu, this is a Ghost/Fairy-type Pokemon who's able to beat opposing Psychic-, Ghost-, Dragon-types, etc, and setup Trick Room for the other two Pokemon. Thanks to the Disguise ability, Mimikyu essentially has a pseudo-Substitute in that Pokemon have to double target the Ghost/Fairy down in other to prevent Trick Room. Even so, Mimikyu is paired with the Ghostium Z to nuke opposing Pokemon such as Tapu Lele. Taunt is listed here to prevent any opposing anti-TR strategies such as Roar, "reverse" TR, setup, or other Taunt users. Keep in mind Fighting-type Pokemon who threaten Drampa and Magnezone like Pheromosa and Buzzwole can't really harm Mimikyu thanks to its Disguise ability and defensive great typing.

Once Trick Room is setup, the other two Pokemon can be used quite effectively. Magnezone is often seen capable of dealing with opposing Fairy-type like the Tapus and even trapping Steel-types such as Celesteela. Choice Specs allows Magnezone to pick of many kills given it rather high base power attacks like Thunderbolt / Flash Cannon, and its base 130 Special Attack. Some tech options such as Volt Switch is used for pivot switching and HP Ground for opposing Electric-, Steel-, and Fire-types. Drampa on the other hand is a strong special Dragon-/Normal type with a strong abilities to such as Sap Sipper, Berserk, and Cloud Nine to abuse. In this set, Cloud Nine is used to remove all weather effects in play, effectively making weather-based teams near useless. In terms of coverage, Drampa has a surprising array of special attacks to utilize with its base 135 special attack stat such as the elemental beams, Draco Meteor, Energy Ball, Hyper Voice, and Shadow Ball.

Black117 · (This post was last modified: Jan 16, 2017, 02:36 AM by Black117.)

Porygon2 + Araquanid + Alolan Marowak

[Image: porygon2.png]

- Pokémon featured: Porygon2 + Araquanid / Alolan Marowak
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Trick Room Offense
- Sets:

The one of the most common Trick Room pairs in the VGC format is the dual between Porygon2 and either Aranquanid and/or Alolan Marowak. To start, Porygon2 has received tremendous usage as the premier Trick Room setter in the VGC scene thanks to its improved Eviolite defense and wide array of coverage options such as Tri Attack, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Discharge, etc. There are two main goal of any TR Porygon2: setup Trick Room for its ally and to stick around as long as possible thanks to Recover to reset Trick Room again. Even with Porygon2 overall great bulk, its still need a partner who's able to threaten most of the format with their immeasurable damage potential. Both Araquanid and Alolan Marowak stick out given strong they hit with thanks to their respective abilities/items. With Aranquanid's case, Water Bubble doubles the power of Liquidation and paired with Waterium Z can actually punch some major holes against most teams. Alolan Marowak has the luxury of abusing its Thick Club to double its attack stat which can allow it to hit ridiculous hard with STAB Flare Blitz and Shadow Bone. Both Araquanid and Alolan Marowak can be used to to take resisted / immune Fighting-type hits for Porygon2 who doesn't appreciate such attacks. Most of the times, teams tend to carry Porygon2 + either Araquanid or Alolan Marowak though don't be surprised if both TR sweepers are used since Marowak's Lightning Rod Ability can redirect harmful Electric-type damage from Araquanid. The water spider can take a resisted Ground-type attack like Earthquake easily, or even use Wide Guard to block Rock Slide or Earthquake.

Black117 · (This post was last modified: Jan 16, 2017, 11:21 PM by Black117.)

Tapu Lele + Metagross

[Image: tapulele.png]

- Pokémon featured: Tapu Lele + Metagross
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Offense
- Sets:

With the introduction to terrain-based Pokemon such as the Tapus, new offensive cores have become possible in light of the 50% boost in a Pokemon's respective type in due part of the terrain. In this case, Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain allows to breath new life into the classic Steel/Psychic-type Pokemon Metagross as it boosts the power of both it and Lele's Psychic-type attacks by 50%. Aside the increase damage output, both Tapu Lele and Metagross share a strong synergy offensive between each other. Starting with Tapu Lele, it benefits having Metagross around to take opposing Steel- and Poison-type attacks for little to no damage to be used a switch-in even. Metagross is one of the premier part Steel-type Pokemon who can actually take on some of the Fairy-types, or notably the Tapus who are in a constant fight to maintain their respective terrains. Tapu Lele can deal with opposing Dark-types and most Dragon-type Pokemon who often carry STAB or coverage options for Metagross specifically STAB Dark- and Fire-type attacks. Keep in mind, the main goal of Tapu Lele + Metagross is to abuse the Psychic Terrain boost to their Psychic-type STABs and overwhelm the team with boosted hits. Both Tapu Lele and Metagross have relatively high attacking base attack / special attack for their respective stats to abuse this along with strong item choices such as Life Orb, Choice Specs, Choice Band, or even the Psychium Z.

Black117 · (This post was last modified: Jan 17, 2017, 02:46 AM by Black117.)

Alolan Raichu + Tapu Koko + Tapu Lele
[Image: raichu-alola.png]

- Pokémon featured: Alolan Raichu + Tapu Koko + Tapu Lele
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Offense
- Sets:

The following core in discussion is coined "Surge Offense" with Alolan Raichu, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Lele abusing the combination of both Electric- and Psychic Terrain to bolster their STAB damage output. As stated, the key to using all three of these Pokemon is to apply as much hyper offense as possible thanks to both Alolan Raichu's support moves, and the heavy pressure from the other two Tapus. What's interesting about this core is Alolan Raichu faciliates the offense support with either Fake Out support (careful with Psychic Terrain) and Encore to trap opposing targets into an undesirable attack. Both of Alolan Raichu typings benefit from the Terrains from Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele by increasing the damage of either Electric- or Psychic-type STABs by about 50%. One common lead with this core is Alolan Raichu + Tapu Koko given how Electric Terrain activates Surge Surfer, which in turn doubles the speed of the electric mouse. Regarding to Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele, both heavily pressure Dragon-, Dark-, and others who threaten or can wall Alolan Raichu with heavy terrain boosted attacks. Tapu Lele is rather complemenary between the three given how "frail" these Pokemon are and appreciate the Psychic terrain to "block" priority. Tapu Koko can boost the power of Electric-type attacks for the core and prevent any from falling asleep. One thing to note about this core are item choices as there's a good chance of the three Pokemon will likely run a Z-Crystal or Z-Move based on one of their STABs (Aloraichium Z, Psychium Z, Electrium Z) ready to use. When facing "Surge Offense", attempt to figure out the set of items between the three Pokemon and their other teammates as it will help deduce which items they carry.

Black117 · Jan 17, 2017, 03:04 AM

Alolan Ninetales + Alolan Sandslash
[Image: ninetales-alola.png]

- Pokémon featured: Alolan Ninetales + Alolan Sandslash
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Hail Offense
- Sets:

This is a standard "Hail-Based Offense" between Alolan Ninetales and Alolan Sandslash given their respective abilities to setup Hail and double one of their speed stats. With Snow Warning, Ninetales is able to spam accurate Blizzard 100% of the time and setup Aurora Veil, a defensive "screen" which reduces the damage dealt by one third. In terms of offensive synergy, Alolan Ninetales appreciates Alolan Sandslash's ability to threaten the opposing Tapus with coverage moves like Iron Head, Icicle Crash, and Earthquake respectively. In turn Alolan Ninetales can threaten opposing Ground-types with Blizzards and even Water-types as well with the Freeze Dry. This core has to be exceptionally careful when dealing with Trick Room modes or teams with strong Fire-type Pokemon such as Arcanine and Drought Torkoal. Its best to use this core as a "fast" mode akin to Scarf Tyranitar and Sand Rush Excadrilll to attempt to pick off any weaken targets.

RebornFX · Jan 17, 2017, 05:47 PM

(Jan 16, 2017, 12:24 AM)Black117 Wrote: Tapu Fini + Kartana + Arcanine
-snip-

Requesting somewhere in your post that you make reference to the fact that this core is commonly referred to as 'AFK'. Just to save any confusion if people see it referred to like this in the future, and frankly it's the best acronym for a core we've had since CHALK.

Oh also, great write ups. I thought I'd chime in with Wolfey's London team core.

Tapu Bulu + Politoed + Magnezone
[Image: tapubulu.png]

- Pokémon featured: Tapu Bulu, Magnezone and Politoed
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Balance
- Sets:

This core was popularized by Wolfe Glick at the London International Championships and was used by Tobias Koschitzki in London and Ashin Mehta in San Jose to top cut each pf their respective events. Defensively, these 3 Pokemon function phenomenally when it comes to switching in to each other's weaknesses, patching each other's weaknesses and beating each other's checks and counters. Politoed provides rain, reducing the effectiveness of Fire type moves from the likes of Arcanine, Marowak and Incineroar directed at Magnezone and Tapu Bulu. It also comfortably switches in to these Fire type moves for both Bulu and Magnezone, and Steel type moves for Bulu. Tapu Bulu provides Grassy terrain to reduce the effectiveness of Ground moves, as well as providing passive recovery giving the core more staying power (playing in to Politoed's Perish Song win condition that will be explained later). Tapu Bulu comfortably switches in to Grass and Electric type moves for Politoed, as well as Fighting and Ground type moves for Magnezone. Magnezone comfortably switches in to Steel, Ice, Poison and Flying type moves for Tapu Bulu and Electric and Grass type moves for Politoed. Magnezone also plays a key role in trapping and eliminating Celesteela, or in tandem with Politoed, locking it in to an unfavourable move, allowing the player to target Celesteela's partner. The core only shares a common fire weakness, mitigated by the rain.

Politoed has a special niche in its access to Perish Song, creating a win condition for players who are able to pick up 2 KOs while preserving the Pokemon advantage. Once the player has picked up 2 KOs, the opponent is no longer able to switch, allowing the player to safely set up Perish Song and stall 3 turns with Protect and defensive switching to guarantee a win. The sets are taken directly from Wolfe's London International Team Report, though the Magnezone Sp.Atk and Speed EVs were not provided, so speed EVs have been placed to outspeed most Celesteela. However, alternative sets are certainly viable. For example Ashin used a Life Orb, Light Screen Magnezone on his team. This core greatly appreciates an Intimidate user. The particular EV spreads hit certain defensive benchmarks once Intimidate is factored in.

Wolfe's London International Team Report:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMusa8IRIrs&t=992s
Ashin Mehta's Top 8 San Jose Team Report:
http://www.trainertower.com/the-deadly-m...ls-report/

Black117 · (This post was last modified: Feb 17, 2017, 11:39 PM by Black117.)

Celesteela + Garchomp + Tapu Koko

[Image: celesteela.png]

- Pokémon featured: Celesteela + Garchomp + Tapu Koko
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Balance
- Sets:

As much as how far the VGC 17 format progress, the Fantasy, or Steel-Dragon-Fairy-core of the Steel/Flying-type Celesteela, the Dragon/Ground-type Garchomp, and the Electric/Fairy-type Tapu Koko. From an offensive perspective, all three Pokemon here are able to check each other's weaknesses to Poison-, Fire-, Ice-, Water-, and Fairy-type Pokemon through the combination of their respective STAB options. Celesteela provides the main defensive backbone of the core given its amazing typing with a number of resistances and two important immunities to Ground- and Poison-type, both which are hazardous to Tapu Koko. With its impressive bulk, Celesteela is able to tank Fairy- and Ice-type attacks and retaliate with STAB Steel-type moves. Garchomp appreciates Celesteela tremendously as it can handle essentially all its main weaknesses and can be uses alongside the fellow part Flying-type to spam Earthquake freely. As a strong Ground-type user, Garchomp can check most Fire-, and Electric-type Pokemon with its STAB EQ and can shrugg off some hits with is impressive above average bulk. Lastly, Tapu Koko is here mainly as the fast Electric-type Pokemon who can threaten most Water-type Pokemon who typically shrug off hits from both Garchomp and Celesteela while maintain offensive pressure for the core. Both Celesteela and Garchomp help Tapu Koko fair off against opposing Tapu Pokemon and can provide a natural switch in for the frail Electric-type if threaten. Keep in mind with Tapu Koko base 130 speed, it can outspeed most the VGC format, and threaten or pick off opposing Pokemon who Celesteela / Garchomp cannot pace.

What makes this core relatively strong is not only its fantastic type synergy with each other, rather the potential for all three Pokemon to wield different item choices and entirely flexible sets compared to others. For Celesteela, some variants can be mixed bulk investment, but with Atk EVs to increase its Attack stat with Beast Boost, while some others have Special investment to tank special hits in the endgame. For Garchomp, a good portion are either Groundium Z to be able to fire a strong STAB Ground-type attack against the opponent. Choice Scarf is the second most popular set which allows Garchomp to outspeed most of the format including Pheromosa and Tapu Koko before they can retaliate with their coverage options. Tapu Koko is perhaps the most varied Pokemon of the three given it has a possiblility of 3-5 item choices ranging from Life Orb, Choice Specs, Focus Sash, Electrium Z, or Assault Vest. For offensive sets, Tapu Koko typically have Life Orb/Choice Specs to boosts its above average 95 Special Attack, and Electrium Z capable to nuke one target with a STAB Electric Terrain Z-Attack. Finally both Focus Sash and Assault Vest allow Tapu Koko to have a defensive option to withstand one strong hit.

Black117 · (This post was last modified: Feb 18, 2017, 12:16 AM by Black117.)

Gigalith + Stoutland

[Image: gigalith.png]

- Pokémon featured: Gigalith + Stoutland
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Sand Offense
- Sets:

Following the exclusion of both Tyranitar and Excadrill from the Alolan Dex, some players have turned to a makeshift Gen 5 duo who can provide some from of offense pressure with their strong STAB coverage. It might not sound like it, but both Gigalith and Stoutland are a strong Sand-based core which acts similar to the Sun-based teams with Torkcoal/Liligant. As of Gen 7, Gigalith received the ability Sand Stream which provides the necessary "sand" component of the team to help combat opposing weathers such as Sun, Rain, and Hail. With the sand in play, Gigalith receives a boosts into its special defense stat while Stoutland's speed doubles, thus making it one of the fastest threats in the metagame. Offensive, both Gigalith and Stoutland have a respectable attack stats and rather counter-based speeds which can combat opposing fast mode and Trick Room-based teams. Interesting to note is Stoutland learns the move After You, which allows its ally to move immediately before the opponent, which allows Gigalith to bypass speed brackets and use its Rock-type attacks. In terms of coverage, Gigalith can hit most of the format hard with its rather strong options like Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Heavy Slam, or Earthquake. Stoutland movesets is rather limited since some of its coverage options relies on whether, or not the team needs certain moves, like Fire Fang for Kartana, or Ice Fang for Garchomp, which both threaten the sand core duo.

Black117 · Feb 18, 2017, 12:47 AM

Snorlax + Tapu Fini

[Image: snorlax.png]

- Pokémon featured: Snorlax + Tapu Fini
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Balance
- Sets:

The rise of Tapu Fini and Snorlax has certainly take the early VGC scene by storm with due part of their incredible bulk and somewhat strong defensive synergy that allows potential setup. Snorlax's sudden rise comes from the recent changes in certain berry mechanics to those such as Figy Berry, which allows the user to replenish 50% of their HP. With the Gluttony ability, Snorlax can now utilize these berries at a faster rate to allow it to recover about half its HP to near full, thus allowing it time to setup or attack. In terms of setup options, Snorlax can utilize Curse rather effective to raise its Attack and Defense stat by one stage, while lowering its already slow base 30 speed, which can actually help when facing Trick Room-based teams. For an intermediate offensive, Belly Drum will maximize Snorlax's Attack to +6 and can just about 2HKOS or OHKOs everything in the format with its coverage. For those who are weary of losing too much HP from Snorlax, Recycle thus exactly that and regains the Figy Berry to which Snorlax can replenish itself again for about another 50% recover. Tapu Fini is one of Snorlax's best partners given how it can can threaten and wall most Fighting-type Pokemon in the format, and provide cover for Snorlax with its Misty Terrain to prevent status conditions. As on of the "weaker" of the Guardian Deities, Tapu Fini appreciates Snorlax ability to tank some of their strongest hits, and if boosted, can threaten for the OHKO. Despite the lack of resistances, Snorlax can serve as a decent switch in for Electric- and Poison-type Pokemon, and can even hit them with super effective High Horsepower. Item choice for Tapu Fini is varied, though most are either Choice Specs to hit opposing Pokemon immediate hard with Fairy- and Water-type STABs, or engage in long term setup like Snorlax with Calm Mind boosts.

Black117 · (This post was last modified: Mar 15, 2017, 10:47 PM by Black117.)

Tapu Lele + Pheromosa
[Image: tapulele.png]

- Pokémon featured: Tapu Lele + Pheromosa
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Hyper Offense
- Sets:

The pairing between the Psychic/Fairy Tapu Lele and the Bug/Fighting Pheromosa proves to be one of the strongest hyper offensive cores in the format. Whenever anyone sees both Tapu Lele and Pheromosa together in a team, note that the two are there mainly to iniciate the offense thanks to their high damage output to overwhelm the opponent with their respective STABs. One of the notable things about this pair is how Psychic terrain benefits both on an offensive perspective with Lele receiving an additional 50% increase to its STAB Psychic and and protection against priority hits, which is useful for Pheromosa's paper-thin defenses. Tapu Lele has a monstrous base 130 SpA stat paired with its Psychic-terrain-boosted hits to hit anything relatively hard that's not a Steel-, Dark-, or Psychic-types. Keep in mind that all three of these types are weak to the combination of Fighting- and Bug-type STABs, especially from an offensive Pokemon such as Pheromosa. Thanks to its high speed speed stat of 151, Pheromosa can threaten any target with a selection of attacks such as High Jump Kick, Poison Jab, Ice Beam, or Z-High Jump Kick / Z-Focus Blast for that extra power. With Pheromosa covering one of its potential checks, Tapu Lele can focus on any targets who don't appreciate a boosted Psychic attack. Note while these two make for a strong offensive duo capable of hitting most of the VGC 17 format with the combination of Fairy-, Psychic-, and Fighting-type moves, their defensive prowess is near non-existent. As a result, best use both Lele and Pheromosa in which the opponent is heavily pressured and pinned down to the point where they risk losing a Pokemon, or possibly the entire game.

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